After a physically demanding first day in pads at training camp, the Carolina Panthers reduced the intensity of their practice on Tuesday. Head coach Dave Canales explained that defensive tackle Derrick Brown was limited due to “general soreness” in his oblique following Monday’s session. Backup guard Chandler Zavala is expected to miss several weeks after injuring his patella tendon during a one-on-one drill with Brown.
“It’s two big, strong men against each other, and he was just kind of anchoring to get back into position and tweaked it in there,” Canales said about Zavala’s injury. He added that while the tendon was not ruptured, Zavala would likely be sidelined for a few weeks with hopes of returning before preseason ends. “Chandler was having such a great camp, a couple of days looking strong, looking flexible, really comfortable in our system too, so just thinking about him and want to get him back out there quickly.”
Zavala has started nine games over two seasons and is considered an important reserve for the offensive line. The team brought back its top nine linemen from last year and is evaluating players like Brady Christensen—who can play all five positions—as well as Jarrett Kingston and Ja’Tyre Carter to fill in during Zavala’s absence.
“So it’s opportunities for these guys to kind of step up and show us what they can do,” Canales said.
Regarding Brown’s status, Canales noted that while Brown had knee surgery last year and missed some time recently for personal reasons, he is being managed carefully as he returns to full participation. “Trying to be smart with Derrick,” Canales said. “His knee feels great, I think it’s just kind of torquing his body in different ways, and he’s got some oblique soreness right now. We want to be smart and get ahead of that. It’s not something that we felt like we had to get an MRI or do anything like that right now, but as we’re kind of working him back into his normal flow, we’ll keep dosing him the right way so that we get him in shape for Week 1.”
Several veterans received planned rest days on Tuesday: cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson along with wide receiver Adam Thielen did not participate fully but remained engaged on the sidelines. Their absence gave younger players such as Shemar Bartholomew and rookie Corey Thornton more opportunities with the starting defense.
Bartholomew made an interception during practice while Thornton broke up a potential touchdown pass late in the session. Bartholomew joined the team off waivers last summer and appeared in five games last season; Canales observed improvement from him this offseason.
“Just understanding the scheme, spent a year with us kind of learning, and showed up in the Falcons game at the end and made a couple of plays for us there, a couple of big battles with Drake London there in the end zone towards the end of the half.
“Shemar is kind of taking this offseason. He had a really good spring, came into camp and has been steady, but today I think it was a big day for him. What we’ve been challenging is to just make the play on the ball. You’re in the right spot, have the confidence to go make the play. He did that today and came up with one.”
Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton continued contributing beyond his backup role by acting as emergency holder during special teams drills when punter Sam Martin was unavailable last week—a role praised by Canales: “I mean, first of all, let’s give it up for Andy Dalton, who did a great job for the first four days.” With Martin’s return this week Dalton practiced drop kicks during downtime at Tuesday’s session.
Former Panthers defensive tackle Brentson Buckner attended practice alongside original general manager Bill Polian—now working with Sirius XM NFL Radio—who interviewed both Canales and current general manager Dan Morgan during their visit.
Following Monday’s intense two-hour padded workout under hot conditions (the hottest month on record globally occurred recently: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/climate/june-hottest-month-record.html), Tuesday’s practice featured lighter attire but still involved focused work ahead of another padded session scheduled for Wednesday.
“We pad it up,” Canales said regarding Wednesday’s plan. “Tomorrow will be probably about 15 to 20 minutes longer than it was today. Really just trying to get after them and end with the move-the-ball period where we can start leaving the groups out there for a longer duration…so they can start to get into playing eight, 10, 12 snaps in a row…”
Canales also addressed Monday night’s shooting incident at 345 Park Avenue—the building housing NFL offices—in New York City which resulted in multiple fatalities including law enforcement personnel (https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/29/us/new-york-office-shooting/index.html).
“I wanted to mention that our prayers are with all the families that were affected by the shooting in New York,” Canales said. “I just can’t think of the devastation to everybody who’s involved there. People are showing up to do their jobs, and have to fear for their lives and their safety. I know there was a police officer who was shot there, so I just feel really, really thankful and really grateful for the people that we have here that are watching…But we’re praying for all those families that were affected there.”
